Small businesses support asset forfeiture reform

During the first week of the legislative session, civil asset forfeiture reform efforts continued to gain steam. The Oklahoma members of the National Federation of Independent Business released their annual legislative priorities Monday. Of all the topics, civil asset forfeiture reform garnered the most support.

“Civil asset forfeiture is not just a private property or liberty issue—it’s a business issue,” said Loveless, R-Oklahoma City. “I am pleased 93 percent of small-business owners polled support legislation to reform civil asset forfeiture.”

“As a small business owner, I understand the devastating effects a wrongful forfeiture could have on a business owner. No business can afford to have large sums of money or property held by big government agencies—especially when the owner’s only crime is not being able to afford an expensive attorney,” said Loveless. “I am proud to stand with the 4,000 small-business owners in Oklahoma who are asking for sensible reforms to protect their property from this archaic law.”

The legislative session began on Monday.